Office of the Historian

740.5/2–653: Telegram

The United States Special Representative in Europe (Draper) to the Department of State 1

secret
priority
Paris, February 6, 1953—5 p.m.

Polto 1354. Rossi-Longhi, Italian permanent representative to NAC came in February 5 seeking my personal advice on aspect EDC ratification. He said that question in Italian Government’s mind apparently is should it proceed all possible parliamentary haste to ratify protocols in accordance assurances De Gasperi gave you2 regarding rapid action or should the government await receipt, study and possibly negotiation of protocols in Interim Committee prior to prodding Parliament. Obvious advantage first course would be concrete evidence progress in one capital and pressure passage in Rome would exert on French. He pointed out, however, that we would be risking difficulties in Italian Parliament if it were asked to act on treaty alone with knowledge protocols almost inevitable. Rossi-Longhi also feared that we would put pressure on Italy to accept unsatisfactory protocols that might arise after Italian ratification. He pointed out that French could very well ask for additional protocols under pressure from French Parliament.

In reply I stressed over-riding importance of early action in ratifying treaty but asked Rossi-Longhi to discuss question again after I had had an opportunity to discuss with my colleagues. After cabling substance my proposed reply to Secretary in Bonn, I urged Rossi-Longhi to push ahead with ratification. I pointed out to him that best way to avoid additional delays and new requests for protocols from French was for other EDC countries to complete parliamentary process. This was also best way to help Mayer keep his promise against parliamentary pressure that France would ask only for protocols that were “interpretative” and in every way consistent with spirit and intent of treaty. Rossi-Longhi again mentioned the possible risks involved, but said he agreed and that he would use his influence to obtain quick action in Rome. He said that Italian Ambassador in Paris would support him. He mentioned that he had also been encouraged because in a talk with Van Starkenborgh yesterday, latter had been more favorably inclined and had said that he would recommend that the Dutch Government follow the same course.

Draper
  1. Repeated to Rome and to The Hague for Secretary Dulles, who was visiting Western European capitals with Mutual Security Administrator Stassen. For documentation on their trip. see pp. 1548 ff.↩
  2. For a record of Dulles’ conversation with De Gasperi, see telegram 4275, Feb. 1, p. 1551.↩